Mollie Adams Diary of her Journey in the Canadian Rockies, September 2, 1908

Moberly Camp II.

Sept 2. – Wednesday

               We got off about 9:30 expecting to be able to ford the Maligne mouth by this time.  Arrived there about 11 after rather a funny chase, for we were rush enough to get separated.  W. took an upper trail, supposed to be better than the one by the river that we were on coming down, but the pack horses failed to notice which way we went and kept on up the old trail.  It was all so bushy that U. could not see us at all, so he went sailing on after the packs.  Then when they didn’t come and didn’t come, W. went back, suspecting what had happened.  M. and I waited and waited, hearing strenuous language addressed to “You Blue!” etc., somewhere off it the bush, but getting farther ahead all the time.  We thought we might as well follow before the whole outfit was lost in the distance, so we went dashing along our trail thinking that they would all meet at the ford anyway, and they probably would have, but we had to leave ours as it was blocked with fallen trees.  We found a branch one which led to the river and there I put Bugler on the trail of the other horses, and he did the rest.  But as we were trotting gently across an open bit he overtook us, not having yet run the packs to earth either.  We had quite a laugh when we came up with the procession ambling along, U. was so surprised to see us appearing from the rear, and so reproachful, for he had been yelling himself hoarse trying to tell us not to go so fast and get so far ahead.  We found the Maligne River has not gone down at all, so there was nothing for it but to go up around the canyon again – which we did – and got down the other side and to our old Henry House Camp at 2 P. M.  Showers during day.

               John Moberly has been to Maligne Lake four different ways: by Jack Creek, up the Maligne River, from Buffalo Prairie, by the Su-Wapta and Poboktan.  The Crees call the lake Ka-kin-ocha-mash which means Long Lake.  J.M. is “John John” whom we have seen registered up the Ath and at Fortress Lake.  He says there is a high trail along the north side of Fortress Lake to the Wood River.

[Fortress Lake] Moore Family fonds,
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies (V439 / PS -18)